Viperacer: “Hehehe. Hey, Harvey. You don’t look so good, care to take a break? It won’t matter if you lose now, after twenty-nine victories, would it?”

Harvey knitted his brows. This snake. He knew he was in trouble, the combination of both speed and power had always been a godly one. That’s why anybody with too much of both would find themselves targets of assassination if they aren’t careful enough and don’t join an organization like Hero Society or the Herotopian collective Police Force.

It’s also the most common combination. Unfortunately, even as it’s become incredibly widespread, out of every one hundred super-humans with double B grades in super speed and super strength, only 2 and a half have ever managed to make it past 17 years of age. The ‘Two’ percent are those that join organizations like the previously mentioned, the various powerful mercenary or villainous organizations in Villain Haven, or one of the newly founded countries protected around Spes Nova’s Border. The ‘Half’ are those who manage to survive their unfortunate assault and live to talk about it, but sadly, wind up disabled somehow, and are rendered unable to utilize their superpowers effectively anymore.

Yes. Only 2 percent manage to keep their powers and grow into adulthood.

But… that’s 2 Percent of the most common power combination in the world. There are roughly One billion, one hundred million inhabitants living on Spes Nova. 200 million super speed super-humans and 800 million super strength super-humans have been recorded. More than 89 Percent of those super speed users received super strength as their second power combination. That is roughly nine – tenths of two hundred million! Even though many of them were ‘culled’… the numbers far outweigh the rationality. One would think that, considering humans can usually at most, only hold two superpowers under their arsenal that they would seek relatively safer choices. But there’s actually a reason for this popularity! It’s because, just like Noel suggested, and as most of the monstrous ten families believe: having super strength and super speed below a certain threshold isn’t really considered a ‘super power’ – not to the mortal body anyway. Even if both of these are present, there’s still a higher chance one can attain another type of power into their bodies. It’s especially easier to alter one’s body – capabilities to handle greater powers when super strength is involved – the most stable and common trio of powers would be the ones that create a near perfect ‘super soldier’ - invulnerability, super strength as well as super speed. Basically heightening the body to near inhuman levels doesn’t really ‘count’ towards being a super power in some people’s eyes, unless those physical enhancements are taken to the extreme. In terms of Grades… only B Grade Super Strength or Super Speed are taken seriously as powers.

Of course, these are only the insightful opinions and beliefs of the strong or wise organizations that’ve seen much over the ages. Anything beyond normal human capacity can still be technically considered a ‘power’.

And although Viperacer only has a grade C in Super Speed, it’s the highest standard for speed at the moment that also doesn’t require special ‘contacts’ or a freak accident to occur. Families that ‘pass’ their super powered genes onto their children may have a 73 percent chance roughly of passing the exact grade to their kids, but the remaining 27 is completely randomized. Like how Brennan inherited his family’s super power, but only got a Z grade version of it.

Other than this gamble, Grade C abilities are pretty common from black market labs.

However, even a common speed related ability is an amazing advantage in a battle of brawns, between super strength users.

Namely between Harvey and Viperacer, both having very similar top class B Grade Super strength.

The sound of their fight’s countdown resounded. It was a loud and suffocating test of endurance for Harvey. Clenching one of his fists tightly and using the other to wipe his bloodied chin. His upper and lower lips trembled with anger at the mere thought of his earlier encounter with Rise. Another no-name nobody. Another Non - Combatant civilian class trash that dared to disrespect him! And even worse, he was capable of stopping Harvey’s punch so easily! He was extremely similar to that… that woman! That ugly, man-faced bitch that dared to strike him … while his guard had been severely lowered by his victory against Huroznik! Even if it wasn’t an official victory… He still won! Anybody with a brain would know it was true!

This match meant more to him than just a competition of strengths. It was too important for Harvey to win here. He needed to, for various reasons…

?: “Match Start!”

*Crack-Crack*

*Vroom!*

The Viper titled youth cracked floor tiles underneath his foot as his momentum was spurred forward even more so.

He zoomed towards Harvey in a flash and…

*Bam!*

Harvey attempted to hold his ground and throw out a follow-up punch, But his fist that originally flew on a set path directed for his adversary’s face, instead met with nothing but a swish full of air. Instead, it was he – who enjoyed a mouth filled with blood and agony. He was sent back a couple of meters, and after crashing against the floor a few times, he just managed to land on his feet when…

*Bam!*

*Bam – Bam - Bam!*

*Boom!*

There was no time to dodge. Harvey was struck fiercely over and over and over. The scary part about having both super strength and super speed is that you become a very difficult target to find, let alone touch. One second Viperacer is on their left side, waiting to strike. Thinking that he’s predicted the upcoming attack, Harvey turns to face that side as quick as possible and lets out a punch thrown with intense vigor and force!

...Only to hit against formless air once more, and near immediately following suit – receiving an impactful force strong enough to rattle his insides and send him flying in a different direction from last time!

Yes. This is the advantage speed users hold over strength users. This advantage is further magnified after that same speed ability manipulator ALSO gains some semblance of super strength. The advantage only widens with higher Grade attainments.

Every time Harvey swung, he hit nothing but air. Furthermore, grappling tactics were completely useless against Viperacer. Similarly to his punches, Viper manages to accurately dodge Harvey’s grapple attempts and always deliver a punch full of super strengthened force! After about four or five hit – and – misses, although he still failed to land a single hit, Harvey managed to finally block his opponent’s next swing! Finally…! He was beginning to adjust to his last opponent’s timing! Next, he spent the next twelve rounds enduring Viperacer’s slug - fest. It had to be pointed out that Harvey’s resilience was somewhat off the charts. All things considered. His body did have a certain layer of strength to that which offhandedly replicated invulnerability. Once super strength reaches certain thresh-holds, it doubles as invulnerability. A body so strong, weaker attacks brush right off… it’s truly frightening. The same exact thing happens with invulnerability users, once their bodies are capable of withstanding the hardest materials on earth. Such a punch would be devastating, so long as the wielders aren’t invulnerable by a magic enchantment and conversely, ACTUALLY hold an enhanced body beyond mortal understanding.

Harvey’s muscle strength was clearly reaching a level that would rival basic D grade invulnerability powers. Over the course of twenty minutes, he took quite the beating without staying down!

But now he was tired of letting Viperacer have his way. Finally, it was time to implement his plan. There was a reason why Harvey chose Viperacer as his last opponent. The reason was clearly in preparation for his couple of rounds with Momo Humphries! The B – Grade Sonic speed king himself! Speed was incredibly annoying to fight against, for those that lack it. Even if you have it, if you’re opponent is faster, then your power is rendered futile. The speed grade may be one lower, but Momo doesn’t have Viperacer’s strength! If he can tank hits from Viperacer well enough, then Harvey surmises that Momo won’t be a problem to deal with.

He just needs a method to drop his speed…

Harvey stopped turning his body to find his adversary, and ignored the world surrounding. He ignored the jeers as blood continuously escaped his lips and nose. He ignored Viperacer’s movements that seemed to only beguile his senses, and he ignored those pestering thoughts pecking away at his mental stability and conscious psyche.

Not yet. His Right arm pulsed madly, gathering strength and growing like a monstrous muscle-bound balloon. Viperacer took notice of this immediately and charged. Forgetting to continue his evasive dance, he simply lashed out a series of punches and kicks Harvey’s way. He was so close… almost there! The gigantic brute of a ‘King’ was teetering and wobbling. But his arm never stopped it’s rampaging growth. The hideous mass of arm flesh nearly doubled his height now. There was an unprecedented silence at such a horrid sight. What was he planning to do – kill Viperacer? Some who’d been bullied by him meekly shrunk back in their seats. They knew he was crazy, but was he THAT unhinged?? Some began to gossip over his next course of action, if they should report this match to somebody like the principal or if the teachers were planning on intervening anytime soon.

---